We have the same problem in Southern Illinois. Twice this fall we have had problems with coahces and parents in one of the St. Louis Metro East football leagues. The game started with the home team upset about us enforcing IHSA rules with the stated exceptions, as instructed. He was not familiar with the rules. He procedding to scream and yell how it was our fault that his team was being penalized for rule violations, and not being allowed to do certain practiced plays, that were not allowed by league rules. Then, during the 2nd quarter the visiting coaches was cussing at the kids he was coaching. After being warned about this, he started complaining about calls bing missed on his side line. We were working a 3 man crew, and I advised him that this was a $35.00 call, making it quite clear that for another $35.00, they could have four officals on thefield. Shortly after this, I broke down field on a pass play and the Referee did not call an aleged blcok in the back. THe coach came on the field yelling to him that "was the worst f---ing call he ever seen." When receiving an unsportsmanlike, he appropriately replied, "Wrong, that was the worse f---ing call." Second unsportsmanlike and ejection from game, removal from the park where games are played. After my collegue made it quite apparent that these people were not out here for the kids, becuase we had not heard a word all day from any player, but were out here for their own glory and that we were leaving, for we had wives and children at home,that we could be with, rather than being present so their kids could play. Home team, though not being the instigators, panic as the league rules state they must have three officials, two of whom are registered with the IHSA, or be fined $100.00 a game pled for us to stay, and the problem would be properly addressed. Then, two weeks later, after being told the problems were solved and there would be no more problems, we have a coach get upset over a false start(team's third in the 1st Quarter), and approached the official to strt trouble. Smartly, we asked the coach to leave the field without incident. The funny thing was that another coach thanked us, stating this paretn-coach had been a problem all year. The only unanswered question was why that team and/or football club address this sooner.
I agree that we need to take action to get control of this now before officials get hurt, and more importantly before these kids get into school programs and believe that it is alright to conduct themselves in this manner during school functions.
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